This virtual seminar series focuses on technical topics related to terrorism risk assessment, modelling and mitigation.

The emphasis of the seminar series is on technical (STEM-related) aspects of this area, rather than social or political topics. Possible topics include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • blast modelling and response;
  • IEDs;
  • vehicles as weapons;
  • CBRN;
  • big data for risk assessment, security and screening;
  • mitigation measures.

Specific examples of topics included in the series range from assessment of homemade explosives to safety of electricity grids to cyber attack. 

Participants in the series come from various academic, research and industrial organisations, including several universities and world-wide industry partners. The focus of the seminar series is in technical, STEM-related areas of counterterrorism research, but participants may have relevant expertise in a wide variety of subject areas, ranging from engineering to insurance.

Seminars have no security classification and are open to guests from bona fide organisations; we encourage external guests with appropriate affiliations to attend.

The series is currently held in a virtual format. Face-to-face or hybrid formats may be considered in the future.

Upcoming seminars   

The next seminar is Beyond Visual Inspection: AI-Driven Techniques for Heritage Building Damage Assessment (Joe Kallas & Rebecca Napolitano), taking place on 8 May 2025.

If you would like to register for the mailing list and receive seminar invitations, please complete and submit the online form.

Related academics

Chair: Dr Stephanie Burrows
Deputy Chair: Dr Erik Pickering

Technical Committee

Dr Shaun Forth (Blast Modelling)
Dr David Crouch (CBRN)
Ajay Kumar (Vehicles)
Dr Anastasia Filippidou (Counterterrorism and Resilience)
Dr Jeff Pons (Explosive Chemistry)
Dr Ken McNaught (Risk Modelling and Decision Analysis)
Dr Rachael Hazael (Impact)
Pete Norton (Explosives Technology and Explosive Ordnance Engineering)

Previous seminars